If history is any indication, Smarty Jones has three foes stalking him that are trying to make history repeat itself. Master David is trying to duplicate Lemon Drop Kid by finishing way out of the money in the Kentucky Derby and finishing 3rd in the Peter Pan Stakes. Royal Assault is trying to follow the path laid by fellow longshot Sarava by using the first place finish in the Sir Barton Stakes to win the Belmont. Purge is trying to mirror the success of Coastal, Stage Door Johnny, and Cavan, by going into the Belmont off a first place finish in the Peter Pan Stakes. It should be noted that Smarty Jones is expected to go off as the lowest price favorite since Spectacular Bid and Coastal upset Bid. While everyone expects Preakness runner up Rock Hard Ten to be the main threat, it should be pointed out that the only times a Preakness runner up thwarted a Triple Crown attempt, they also ran second in the Kentucky Derby.
Funny Cide (2003)
Trained by Barclay Tagg
June 7 - 6 entered in Belmont Stakes -- Only five rivals faced Funny Cide, and it was Kentucky Derby runner-up Empire Maker, who skipped the Preakness who won, with Funny Cide finishing third.
War Emblem (2002)
Trained by Bob Baffert
June 8 - 11 entered in Belmont Stakes -- Sarava, fresh off a win in the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard, upset War Emblem at 70-1 in the Belmont. War Emblem ran eighth, the worst finish ever for a Derby/Preakness winner in the Belmont.
Charismatic (1999)
Trained by D. Wayne Lukas
June 5 - 12 entered in Belmont Stakes - After placing 9th in the Kentucky Derby and finishing 3rd in the Peter Pan Stakes, Lemon Drop Kid won the Belmont and Charismatic finished third after falling to an injury.
Real Quiet (1998)
Trained by Bob Baffert
June 6 - 11 entered in Belmont Stakes -- Up by four lengths at the eighth pole, Real Quiet lost by a stubborn nose to Derby/Preakness runner-up Victory Gallop.
Silver Charm (1997)
Trained by Bob Baffert
June 7 - 7 entered in Belmont Stakes -- Touch Gold finished fourth in the Preakness and came back to score a three-quarters of a length win over Silver Charm.
Sunday Silence (1989)
Trained by Charlie Whittingham
June 10 - 10 entered in Belmont Stakes -- Sunday Silence proved no match for Derby/Preakness runner-up Easy Goer once the latter got back to his home track in the Belmont.
Alysheba (1987)
Trained by Jack Van Berg
June 6 - 9 entered in Belmont Stakes -- Bet Twice, second in the Derby and Preakness, romped to a 14-length win as Alysheba finished fourth.
Pleasant Colony (1981)
Trained by John Campo
June 6 - 11 entered in Belmont Stakes -- Pleasant Colony ran third to winner Summing, who had won his maiden race over Pleasant Colony and came into the Belmont with wins on the turf in the Hill Prince Stakes and on the dirt in the Pennsylvania Derby.
